The Bureau of Land Management, Battle Mountain Field Office, has prepared a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) to analyze environmental effects of Cortez Gold Mines’ proposed expansion of gold mining operations at the Pipeline/South Pipeline Project, approximately 30 miles southeast of Battle Mountain, NV.

The Pipeline/South Pipeline Pit Expansion Project would include an expansion of the existing open pit in stages, the expansion of the existing waste rock dumps, the increase in height of the heap leach pads and waste rock dumps, the development of a new waste rock dump, and sequential backfilling of a majority of the open pit. The Proposed Action would occur within the previously approved surface disturbance footprint of 7,676 acres, all of which is public land administered by the BLM. This project would extend the operational life, as well as the employment of 450-500 individuals, for up to an additional seven years.

A 30-day public comment period will begin March 4, 2005. Interested parties may request a copy of the EIS by contacting Jon Sherve at the Battle Mountain Field Office at (775) 635-4000. Comments regarding the FSEIS should be postmarked by April 4, 2005, to ensure full consideration and addressed to: